St. Louis Cathedral
One of the most famous landmarks in the city, the St. Louis Cathedral, overlooks Jackson Square and is easy to spot with three steeples peeking above the historic district. General Andrew Jackson’s statue and the Square are shaded by the gorgeous cathedral, which marks the heart of New Orleans. Conservation and restoration efforts are ongoing, and it remains a place of worship for many.
As a Catholic church, confessions are still taken Monday-Friday at 11:30 a.m. Mass is held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Sundays, as well as 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon on weekdays. Baptisms, confirmations and weddings can also be scheduled, and the cathedral is a popular travel destination for such special events.
Open to All
While the cathedral remains a functional Catholic church, it also serves as a historic and popular tourist attraction for visitors of all faiths. The on-site museum offers self-guided tours weekdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Old Ursuline Convent. You’ll find 12 bays, an attic and two floors with a brick-between-post construction. Austere architecture with simple molding is a nod to the French Colonial public architecture of the mid-1700s. Formerly a nunnery, this part of the cathedral is now earmarked for exploration and education.
You’ll also find a gift shop, special events year-round, and fantastic photo opportunities of the interior and exterior. Make the St. Louis Cathedral a stop on your next tour of New Orleans and see a different side of the city.